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Optic nerve
Optic nerve
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Optic nerve atrophy

Definition:
Optic nerve atrophy involves tissue death of the nerve that carries the information of vision from the eye to the brain.

Alternative Names:
Second cranial nerve atrophy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

There are many unrelated causes of optic atrophy. The most common cause is poor blood flow, called ischemic optic neuropathy, which most often affects the elderly. The optic nerve can also be damaged by shock, various toxic substances, radiation, and trauma.

Various eye diseases, glaucoma most commonly, can also cause optic nerve atrophy. In addition, the condition can be caused by diseases of the brain and central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, and stroke.

There are also several rare forms of hereditary optic nerve atrophy that affect children and young adults.



Review Date: 11/5/2002
Reviewed By: Raymond S. Douglas M.D., Ph.D. Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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